GSE Administration and Staff

Ji Seon Lee, Ph.D.

Interim Dean, Graduate School of Education
Email: [email protected]

Ji Seon Lee, Ph.D. serves as the Interim Dean of Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education. With extensive academic and administrative experience, she has held key leadership roles, including Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs,  Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the Graduate School of Social Service (GSS) and as a tenured faculty member at Fordham University..

Lee’s research expertise spans long-term care policy, chronic illness, and older adult care. She was an inaugural scholar in the renowned Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholar Program. She holds master’s degrees in social work and public administration, as well as a Ph.D. in social work from Columbia University.

Committed to fostering healthy and equitable communities, Lee is dedicated to advancing Fordham University’s mission of academic excellence, community engagement, and social justice for over 25 years.

Office of the Dean

Diane Rodriguez, Ph.D.

Associate Dean
Professor, Curriculum and Teaching
[email protected]
212-636-6410
212-636-7070

Education: Ph.D. in Language Learning and Literacy with a specialization in special education, Fordham University; Master’s Degree in Bilingual Special Education, Fordham University, Bachelor’s Degree in Language Arts Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico.  

Rodriguez assumed the position of associate dean for academic affairs of the Graduate School of Education effective June 1, 2022. She joined the Fordham University faculty in the fall of 2012. Rodriguez's primary research interest is at the intersection of special education, bilingual education and multicultural education, and teacher preparation. She has received numerous grants from the U.S. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services and the Office of English Language Acquisition. Rodriguez has been an invited speaker at national and international conferences on special education and bilingual education, including interviews on Telemundo, NBC, and PBS. She continues her work to provide training in bilingual education and special education to international audiences, and has published extensively in journals. Rodriguez is also the co-author of several books published by Teachers College Press:

Herrera, S., Rodriguez, D., & Cabral, R. (2023). Equitable and Inclusive Teaching for Diverse Learners with Disabilities. A Biography Driven Approach. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Campbell, G., Rodriguez, D. & Agrawal J. (2021). STEAM Meets Story: Using Adolescent Fiction and Film to Spark Deeper Learning. New York: NY: Teachers College Press.

Rodríguez, D., Carrasquillo, A., & Lee, S. (2014). The bilingual advantage: Promoting academic development and biliteracy through native language in the classroom. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Notably, Univision selected Rodriguez as an example of "Orgullo de Nuestra Comunidad" [pride of our community], which highlights individuals who give back to the community. Specifically, she was recognized for her work with individuals with disabilities in a Univision-created on-air vignette which has run on national television. Rodriguez is the founder of Every Girl is Important, a non-for-profit organization to educate and empower young girls, which has been showcased on Telemundo.

Revette Hinkson
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]

Anisa Torres-Sanchez
Director of Financial Aid
113 West 60th Street
Room 1120B
212-636-7611
[email protected]

Joan Colasuonno
Budget Administrator
113 West 60th Street
Room 1120E
212-636-6767
[email protected]

Lynn Hooley
Director of Assessment and Accreditation
Westchester Campus
Room 234A
914-367-3012
[email protected]

Abraham Johnson
Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services
113 West 60th Street
Suite 1108
212-636-6558
[email protected]

Navin Kumar
Admissions Counselor
113 West 60th Street
Suite 1108
212-636-6401
[email protected]

Nanette Michel
Executive Secretary
113 West 60th Street
Suite 1108
212-636-6404
212-636-6400
[email protected]
Admissions

Anita Vazquez-Batisti

Research Areas: Arts in Education, Educational Media

Associate Dean for Educational Partnerships
Email: [email protected]
Education: B.A., CUNY (Baruch College); M.S., CUNY (Hunter College); Ph.D., Fordham University

During the course of her career, Anita Batisti, Ph.D., has served as an administrator, educator and development specialist for New York City Community School Districts, The New York City Department of Education, Fordham University, Pace University, New York University, The United States Department of Education, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and various not-for-profit organizations.

She is an experienced, knowledgeable administrator and fundraiser who understands the complexities and subtleties of the New York City school system, related service providers, and empowered networks. She has raised over $200 million from public and private sources.

Associate Dean Batisti is the founding Director of the Center for Educational Partnerships, which serves over 700 schools, 1,000 K-12 teachers, 100 administrators, and 60,000 students in New York State.

Associate Dean Batisti oversees three New York State-funded technical assistance centers that focus on national origin, equity, and access. She is also the CEO of the Fordham University Partnership Support Organization (PSO), serving as the leader of only one of two universities in New York City in this exclusive network of service providers.

Monica Triana
Administration Assistant
Leon Lowenstein, Room 1108
212-636-7729
[email protected] 

Veronica Szczygiel, Ph.D.
Director of Online Learning
Room 1024D
212-636-7546
[email protected]

Veronica Szczygiel, Ph.D., is a double ram (GSAS ‘12 and GSE ‘20) extending her expertise in curricular design, pedagogy, and motivation in GSE’s online learning department for over five years. As Director, she initiated innovative solutions to professional development, online program quality, and student engagement. Prior to her role at Fordham, she taught English at Marymount School of New York for eight years. Her dissertation study focused on middle school students’ political interest, efficacy, and commitment to future political participation, using her originally designed simulation game as a vehicle of assessment. Veronica’s passions include writing, hiking, and camping. 

Eugeniu Grigorescu
Assistant Director of Online Learning
Room 1024B
646-293-3960
[email protected] 

Eugeniu (Eugene) Grigorescu has been in Jesuit higher education for 25 years and brings a wealth of experience in faculty development, instructional design, accessibility standards, and assessment. His BA in Sociology and MS in Instructional Technology equip him with a strong foundation in pedagogy and technology. When not immersed in his academic pursuits, Grigorescu enjoys exploring new places and capturing the beauty of landscapes through his camera lens.

Shay Bailey
Online Program Manager
Room 1120E
646-293-3965
[email protected] 

Shay Bailey is a seasoned higher education professional with a knack for turning complex processes into streamlined systems. She has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and an MBA in Business Management. Shay has spent over eight years empowering students and faculty through her expertise in financial aid and course planning. Her passion for creating a positive learning environment is evident in her unwavering commitment to efficiency and innovation. She is a passionate advocate for mental wellness and a dedicated horror film enthusiast. Her diverse interests contribute to a well-rounded perspective that enriches her work and personal life.

Michael Taylor
Student Success Counselor
Room 1120A
212-636-7482
[email protected] 

Michael Taylor has over 18 years experience in educational program administration with a particular emphasis on student engagement and support. He strongly believes that, as stated by Nelson Mandella, “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Michael earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Penn State University and a Master's degree in Secondary Education, Social Studies from Hofstra University. He loves to travel, cook, play golf, watch Jeopardy!, and is a lifelong Mets fan. If you're a student in need of support please contact him.